Drywall Mud Pan Cover Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a drywall mud pan cover that prevents drywall mud from drying out in a drywall mud pan. The device is comprised of a drywall pan and a cover for the pan with at least one grip area. In one embodiment, the cover can be placed over and secured to the flanged top edges of the drywall pan via L-shaped sidewalls. This retains the cover over the pan such that air cannot enter the pan and dry out drywall mud. The cover may be comprised of at least one grip area and/or at least one handle to aid in maneuvering the cover about over the opening of the pan.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/307,760, which was filed on Feb. 8, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of drywall mud pans. More specifically, the present invention relates to a drywall mud pan cover device comprised of a drywall pan and a cover for the pan with at least one grip area. In one embodiment, the cover can be placed over and secured to the flanged top edges of the drywall pan via L-shaped sidewalls. This retains the cover over the pan such that air cannot enter the pan and dry out drywall mud. The cover may be comprised of at least one grip area and/or at least one handle to aid in maneuvering the cover over the opening of the pan. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Applying drywall mud can take a considerable amount of time, especially when covering large areas of drywall. During the application process, drywall mud is stored in an open-topped mud pan. Due to the open-topped nature of the pan, drywall mud can dry out quickly in harsh environments. This results in the mud not being able to be applied to drywall. Further, any break or delay in mud application can lead to wasted material and time.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents drywall mud from drying out when in a drywall mud pan. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a drywall mud pan cover device that can be placed over a drywall mud pan to prevent drywall mud from drying out. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a drywall mud pan that prevents drywall mud from drying out and that can be easily removed from a drywall mud pan when not needed.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a drywall mud pan cover device. The device is comprised of a drywall pan and a cover for the pan with at least one grip area. In one embodiment, the cover can be placed over and secured to the flanged top edges of the drywall pan via L-shaped sidewalls. This retains the cover over the pan such that air cannot enter the pan and dry out drywall mud. In various embodiments, the cover may attach to the pan magnetically or via a hinge and the side walls, etc. In addition, the cover may be comprised of at least one grip area and/or at least one handle to aid in maneuvering the cover over the opening of the pan.

In this manner, the drywall mud pan cover device of the present invention accomplishes all the foregoing objectives and provides a device that prevents drywall mud from drying out when in a drywall mud pan. In addition, the device can be easily removed from a drywall mud pan when not needed by sliding (or otherwise moving) the cover off the pan. Further, the cover prevents drywall mud from spilling during transport.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a drywall mud pan cover device. The device is comprised of a drywall pan and a cover for the pan with at least one grip area. The cover and pan may be made from any material known in the art including a durable metal such as, but not limited to, stainless steel or aluminum. In said embodiment, the cover may be magnetized such that it magnetically attaches to the pan. The pan and cover may also be made from a rigid plastic material.

The drywall pan may be any shape in different embodiments but is preferably rectangular in shape. In this embodiment, the pan has a bottom wall and two pairs of parallel side walls. The side walls preferably each have a flanged top edge. The shape of the cover preferably matches the shape of the pan (or the bottom wall of the pan) such that the cover can cover the opening of the pan. The cover prevents mud, paint, or any other material within the pan from drying out when not in immediate use.

The cover is preferably rectangular in shape with a rectangular top wall. The cover may also have a pair of generally parallel side walls on the left and right edges of the top wall. The side walls may be generally L-shaped to form a lip such that the cover can be slid over the opening of the pan, wherein the top edge of at least two side walls are positioned within a channel of each side wall of the cover. In this manner, the cover is secured over the opening.

In another embodiment, the top edge of at least one side wall may be magnetic such that the cover can magnetically attach to the pan over the opening. In this embodiment, the cover is only comprised of a top wall. The cover may also be attached to a side wall via at least one hinge.

In order to allow the cover to be easily manipulated over/off the opening, the top wall (and/or side walls) may be comprised of at least one grip area that may be textured with a recessed or raised texture or that may be non-textured. The grip area is preferably made from a non-slip material that improves grip. In this manner, the grip area is non-slip and can be easily maneuvered.

In another embodiment, the cover may be comprised of at least one handle that may be positioned on the top wall and/or side walls. The handle may be any ergonomic shape that allows a user to easily manipulate the cover. The handle may also be comprised of at least one grip area to improve grip.

Accordingly, the drywall mud pan cover device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that prevents drywall mud from drying out when in a drywall mud pan. In addition, the device can be easily removed from a drywall mud pan when not needed by sliding (or otherwise moving) the cover off the pan. In this manner, the drywall mud pan cover device overcomes the limitations of existing drywall mud pans known in the art.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cover of one potential embodiment of a drywall mud pan cover device of the present invention partially covering a drywall mud pan in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a cover of one potential embodiment of a drywall mud pan cover device of the present invention fully covering a drywall mud pan in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a cover of one potential embodiment of a drywall mud pan cover device of the present invention covering a drywall mud pan in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that prevents drywall mud from drying out when in a drywall mud pan. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a drywall mud pan cover device that can be placed over a drywall mud pan to prevent drywall mud from drying out. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a be a drywall mud pan that prevents drywall mud from drying out and that can be easily removed from a drywall mud pan when not needed.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a drywall mud pan cover device comprised of a drywall pan and a cover for the pan with at least one grip area. The cover and pan may be made from any material known in the art including a durable metal such as, but not limited to, stainless steel or aluminum. In said embodiment, the cover may be magnetized such that it magnetically attaches to the pan. Alternatively, the pan and cover may also be made from a rigid plastic material.

The drywall pan may be any shape in different embodiments but is preferably rectangular in shape. In the rectangular embodiment, the pan has a bottom wall and two pairs of parallel side walls each having a flanged top edge. The shape of the cover preferably matches the shape of the pan (or bottom wall of the pan) such that the cover can cover the opening of the pan. The cover prevents mud, paint, or any other material within the pan from drying out when not in immediate use.

The cover is preferably rectangular in shape with a rectangular top wall. The cover may also have a pair of generally parallel side walls on the left and right edges of the top wall. The side walls may be generally L-shaped to form a lip such that the cover can be slid over the opening, wherein the top edge of at least two side walls are positioned within a channel created by each side wall of the cover. In this manner, the cover is secured over the opening.

In a further embodiment, the top edge of at least one side wall may be magnetic such that the cover can magnetically attach to the pan over the opening. In this embodiment, the cover is only comprised of a top wall. The cover may be attached to a side wall via at least one hinge.

To allow the cover to be easily manipulated over/off the opening, the top wall (and/or side walls) may be comprised of at least one grip area that may be textured with a recessed or raised texture or that may be non-textured. The grip area is preferably made from a non-slip material that improves grip. In this manner, the grip area is non-slip and can be easily maneuvered.

The cover may also be comprised of at least one handle that may be positioned on the top wall, and/or side walls. The handle may be any ergonomic shape that allows a user to easily manipulate the cover. The handle may also be comprised of at least one grip area to improve grip.

Accordingly, the drywall mud pan cover device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that prevents drywall mud from drying out when in a drywall mud pan. In addition, the device can be easily removed from a drywall mud pan when not needed by sliding (or otherwise moving) the cover off the pan. In this manner, the drywall mud pan cover device overcomes the limitations of existing drywall mud pans known in the art.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cover 300 of one potential embodiment of a drywall mud pan cover device 100 of the present invention partially covering a drywall mud pan 200 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is comprised of a drywall pan 200 and a cover 300 for the pan 200 with at least one grip area 320. The cover 300 and pan 200 may be made from any material known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the pan 200 and cover 300 are made from a durable metal such as, but not limited to, stainless steel or aluminum. In said embodiment, the cover 300 may be magnetized such that it magnetically attaches to the pan 200. The pan 200 and cover 300 may also be made from a rigid plastic material such as, but not limited to, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, etc.

The drywall pan 200 may be any shape in different embodiments. However, the pan 200 is preferably rectangular in shape. In this embodiment, the pan 200 has a bottom wall 210 and two pairs of parallel side walls 220. The side walls 220 preferably each have a flanged top edge 230.

The cover 300 may also be any shape known in the art. However, the shape of the cover 300 preferably matches the shape of the pan 200 (or bottom wall 210 of the pan 200) such that the cover 300 can cover the opening 240 of the pan 200. This prevents mud, paint, or any other material within the pan 200 from drying out when not in immediate use and when covered by the cover 300.

The cover 300 is preferably rectangular in shape with a rectangular top wall 310. The cover 300 may also have a pair of generally parallel side walls 340 on the left and right edges of the top wall 310. The side walls 340 may be generally L-shaped to form a lip with a channel 342, as seen in FIG. 3 .

During use, the cover 300 can be slid over the opening 240 such that the top edge 230 of at least two side walls 200 are positioned within the channel 342 of each side wall 340 of the cover. In this manner, the cover 300 is secured over the opening 240 and prevents air from drying out the drywall mud within the pan 200.

In another embodiment, the top edge 230 of at least one side wall 220 may be magnetic such that the cover 300 can magnetically attach to the pan 200 over the opening 240. In this embodiment, the cover 300 is only comprised of a top wall 310. In this embodiment, the drywall pan 200 have non-flanged (i.e., straight) top edges 230. The cover 300 may also be attached to a side wall 220 via at least one hinge 350, as seen in FIG. 2 . The hinge 350 may be any hinge type known in the art such as, but not limited to, an offset blind hinge, a knuckle hinge, a butt hinge, a rising butt hinge, a gravity pivot hinge, a ball bearing hinge, a barrel hinge, a concealed hinge, a knife hinge, a piano hinge, a strap hinge, a pivot hinge, a gas-piston hinge, an injection molded hinge, a locking hinge, etc. In a further embodiment, the cover 300 has a third side wall 240 that prevents the cover 300 from sliding off of the pan 200.

In order to allow the cover 300 to be easily manipulated over the opening 240, the top wall 310 (and/or side walls 340) may be comprised of at least one grip area 320. The grip area 320 may be textured with a recessed or raised texture or may be non-textured. The grip area 320 is preferably made from a non-slip material that improves grip such as, but not limited to, silicone, latex, neoprene, EPDM, PVC foam, polyethylene, sponge rubber, silicone foam, urethane, cork, ridged and/or recessed rubber, felt, acrylic, polyester & SBR, etc. In this manner, the grip area 320 is non-slip and can be easily maneuvered.

In another embodiment, the cover 300 may be comprised of at least one handle 330. The handle 330 may be positioned on the top wall 310, and/or side walls 340. The handle 330 may be any ergonomic shape that allows a user to easily manipulate the cover 300. The handle 330 may also be comprised of at least one grip area 320 to improve grip. In addition, any portion of the pan 200 may be comprised of at least one grip area 320 for the same benefit.

In a further embodiment, the device 100 has at least one locking mechanism 360. The locking mechanism 360 allows the cover 300 to be further secured over and to the pan 200 to prevent spillage, especially during transport. The mechanism 360 may attach to the side wall 220 and cover 300. The mechanism 360 may be, but is not limited to, a lock, a latch, a snap, etc., or any other locking mechanism known in the art.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “drywall mud pan cover device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the drywall mud pan cover device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the drywall mud pan cover device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the drywall mud pan cover device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the drywall mud pan cover device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the drywall mud pan cover device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the drywall mud pan cover device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A drywall mud pan cover device comprising: a top wall; a first side wall; a second side wall; and a grip area.
 2. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 1, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are parallel.
 3. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 1, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are each generally L-shaped.
 4. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 1, wherein the grip area is comprised of a non-slip material.
 5. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 4, wherein the non-slip material is comprised of a textured material.
 6. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 1, wherein the cover is comprised of a rectangular shape.
 7. A drywall mud pan cover device comprising: a cover comprised of a top wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, and a grip area; a drywall pan comprised of a bottom wall, a fourth side wall and a fifth side wall that are parallel, and a sixth side wall and a seventh side wall that are parallel.
 8. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 7, wherein the fourth side wall and the fifth side wall are each comprised of a first flanged edge.
 9. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 7, wherein the sixth side wall and the seventh wall are each comprised of a second flanged edge.
 10. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 7, wherein the sixth side wall and the seventh side wall are each are comprised of a handle.
 11. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 7, wherein the cover is comprised of a rectangular shape.
 12. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 7, wherein the pan is comprised of a rectangular shape.
 13. A drywall mud pan cover device comprising: a cover comprised of a top wall and a grip area; a drywall pan comprised of a bottom wall, a first side wall and a second side wall that are parallel, and a third side wall and a fourth side wall that are parallel.
 14. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 13, wherein the grip area is positioned on the top wall.
 15. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 13, wherein the cover attaches to the drywall pan via a hinge.
 16. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 13, wherein the drywall pan is comprised of a metal material.
 17. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 16, wherein the top wall is comprised of a magnetic material.
 18. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 13 further comprised of a handle.
 19. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 18, wherein the grip area is positioned on the handle.
 20. The drywall mud pan cover device of claim 19, wherein the grip area is comprised of a non-slip material comprised of a recessed texture. 